Circuit-breaker.



R. B. IVIACNISH.

CIRCUIT BREAKVEF1 APPLICATION FILED MAY1.1911. RENEwED APR. 10,1915.

1,139,789. Patented May18, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

R. B. MACNISH.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATioN FILED MAY l, 1911. RENEWED APR. l0, |915.

1 ,139,789. Patented May18, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT operon.

RALPH B. MACNISH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application tiled May l, 1911, Serial No. 624,440. Renewed April i0, 19M. serial No. 262548.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH B. MAcNrsH, a citizen of the United States, residing 'at the city of Sti Louis, in the State of Misn souri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a specicaticn.

Inv the past`tlie principal use of electric current on automobiles has been for engine ignition, the most satisfactory source of eurrent being the alternating-'current magneto. It is desirablahowever, to apply electricity p to various other uses upon. the car., as, for

instance, for lighting purposes, but since the use of' electric light renders the provision of a battery practically necessary, a current generator should be employed which is adapted to charge a battery. This an alternating-current magneto cannot do without complications which would be prohibitive upon an automobile, and therefore the use of electric light upon automobiles necessitates the 4provision of a direct-current generator,

1t is the object of this invention to obviate the necessity for employing separate generators for ignition Vcurrent and lighting current, eliminating the alternating-current magneto and providing means whereby the current supplied by the battery may be applied to the ignition devices in such a way as to retain all the advantages of magneto ignition systems. comprises a governor-controlled timer or circuit-breaker adapted automatically to maintainthe closed-circuit period of the induction coil or coils constant,notwithstanding changes in the speed of the engine, or to cause the closedcircuit period to 'vary in any desired manner, as the engine speed changes. I

The invention contemplates such a construction of the timer as to adapt it to mailb tain the closed-circuit eriod of the induction coil constant,notwithstanding the speed range of the engine is considerable. At

present, automobile engine speeds practically always vary as much as six t one, ratios as high as ten to one being not at all uncommomand the tendency istoward still greater flexibility. The timex,` of my in- 'The means alluded to` vention is adapted to compensate for such great speed ranges, and not merely such slight ranges as two to one or three to one.

A further object is to provide speed-controlled means for autof- 'satieally advancing or retarding the spark.

1n the accompanying lirai-rings, Figure 1 is an end view of a gov cuitsbreaker illustrating: the invention, Fig. 1,l a side elevation of said circuit-breaker. l 3 is a sectional view taken. in the plane et dotted line 3--3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a sectioninn line 4.-4 of F ig. 2. Fig. 5 is a development of the cam construction ci the circuit-breaker. Fig. 6 -is a sectional View of one. form of embodiment of spring which may be used in the governor,

For the purpose of describing the invention it may be considered in connection with a single-spark ignition system for a mul-- tiple-cylinder engine,y the system comprising a. circuitbreaker operated by the engine, a single induction coil, and a distributor. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to use in single-spark systems, nor to use with multiple-cylinder` engines, and that it may be employed in connection with individual induction coils controlled by a timer.

The circuit-breaker 4 is arranged to maintain the closed-circuit period of the induc.

tion coil constant, despite variations in engine speed, or cause the closed-circuit period to vary 1n any desired degree. A

single-spark circuit-breaker for use with any constant-voltage source f current supply, such as a storage battery, must be pro- 'vided with means for keeping the closedcircuit period of the coil approximately con- ,stant if the circuit-breaker is to be used to the best advantage on engines Whose speed varies within wide limits, as is the ease with automobile engines. Where a magneto is used, the conditions are altogether different. The primary current from themagneto is in the form of a wave, the circuit-breaker being adjusted ordinarily to close the c' cuit at a certain point in the wavefand break the circuit at such point in the wave as will produce a spark of the required infer-controlled eiry tensity. The .magneto circuitfbrmkerordnarily closes for a certain invariable fraction of a turn of the armature so as to keep in step with the number of degrees comprised in the usable part of the current wave. While such a circuit-breaker as is used on magnetos can be made to work with a battery current, the best results cannot be expected on any engine whose speed varies to any large amount. If the circuit-breaker is so made that the closed-circuit period is right for the lowest engine speed, there will bg a gradually weakening spark as the enne speed increases. If the circuit-breaker 1s so made that the closedfcircuit period is right for the maximum engine speed, there will be a great waste of current at the lowest -s eed without any increase in the size of ghe spark, since the current that flows through'the coil after it is saturated is wasted in ohmic resistance. The quicker break as the speed increases tends to strengthen the spark, but this strengthening effect does not neutralize the weakening effect of the shortening of the closed-circuit period. To remedy this dfliculty I provide means whereby the length of the arc of contact at the circuit-breaker is increased directly or in any desired ratio as the speed increases, whereby thevclosed-ci'rcuit period remains constant, or changes in any desired ratio, and whereby, with Iconstant pressure like that from a storage battery, the spark or flame is of the same or any desired intensity at all speeds. This means comprises a governor, preferably centrifugal, arranged to act upon one of the circuit-breaker elements, as, for example, the cam, so that the number of degrees of rotation between the closing and the opening of'the contacts will vary directly or in any desired ratio with the speed.

In the present embodiment, the circuitbreaker comprises a depression cam and a spring-pressed lever 14 carrying a shoe or roller 15 adapted to drop into the depression to close the primary circuit of the induction coil. Said depression is made automatically adjustable in length so as to lengthen the arc of contact between the roller 15 and the depression as the speed of the engine is increased, i' order to compensate forA the shortened period of contact between the points 16 and 17 of the circuit-breaker. lf

The opening 21 is of such a size that the boss 22 may lie entirely therein. lt will be seen that if the inner sleeve 18 be rotated with relation to the outer sleeve solthat the boss 22 is moved toward and away from the edge 23 of the opening 20, the effective size of said opening will be varied, since the roller V wise in Fig. 4). The boss 22 is thus moved` desired, said depression may also be arvof sufficient breadth to receive the roller 15,

15 cannot drop into the opening 20 until said roller has passed the edge 24 of the boss 22.

The means for rotating the sleeves: 18 and 19V comprises, in the present illustrative embodiment, a spider. 25 fixed to the shaft 6, two weighted governor arms 26 .27 pivoted at diametrically opposite in on the spider 25, two oppositel-y extendin arms 28 fixed to the sleeve 18, two opposite y extending arms 29 fast on the sleeve 19, a pin 30 attached to each arm 28 and extending.: l 90 through a slot 31 in each governor arm, a

pin 32 fixed to each arm 29 and extendingl through a slot 33 in each' governor arm, and spring means actingtonthe governor arms to restrain pivotal movement of said arms due to centrifugal action. This spring means may be of any suitable character, preferably one providing a differential action. Herein is shown a relatively heavy compression spring 34 bearing at one end against the end wall of a casing 35, and a light compression spring 36 separated from the heavier spring by a slidable collar 37, one end of the spring 36 bearing against the end of a drawsrod 38, the other end of said rod being pivoted to the governor arm 27,

and one end of the casing being pivotally at- 1 nection between said sleeves and the governor arms, the latter in turn being connected to the shaft, As the engine speed increases, the governor arms swing outwardly and lthereby act upon the pins 30 to cause the inner sleeve 18 to turn with reference to the shaft, (such turning movement being clockin the direction away from the edge 23f0f the opening 20, whereby the effective length of said opening is augmented to compensate for the higher engine speedy andthereby maintain constant the closed-circuit'period of the inductioncoil. The outward movement of the governor arms also causes the outer sleeve 19 to turn (clockwisein Fig. 4) with reference to the shaft 6,'whereby the time of the opening of the contacts 16 17 is advanced, and the sparks thereby advanced with relation to the position of-the pistons.

The angular advance of the coil loadingtimeA sleeve 18 is much greater for a given swinging movement of the governor arms than is the angular advance .of the sparkadvance sleeve 19; therefore to compensate for the sudden action of the governor at starting (when the light spring 36 alone resists the weights), the slots 38 in the governor arms are so formed that they advance the spark-advance sleeve m'ore rapidly for the first few degrees of swing of the governor arms than for the remainder of the movement of said arms.

In the drawings I have illustrated a circuit-breaker causing one break per revolution. In constructing a timer for controlling individual induction coils, the sleeves 18 and 19 would, of course, be provided with sets of openings and bosses, the sets corresponding to the desired number of breaks per revolution.

Single-spark ignition systems as heretofore constructed, have included, as the source of electrical. energy, dry cells or storage batteries intended to be charged at a charging station. For this reason such systems have necessarily been arranged to consume the smallest amount of current which would provide a fairly good spark. A fioatingbattery system is adapted to provide as strong a spark as the magneto system, or even a much stronger spark. Since the battery is maintained in a charged. condition by a generator of suitable current output, and since the governor-controlled timer prevents waste of current, coils utilizing current much in excess of those commonly employed may be used. For example, a coil with multiple windings may be safely used, so that a heavy inductive effect may be obtained in even the Ver short loading time available in high-spec engines.

It Will be understood that the circuitbreaker herein disclosed is suitable for use with stationary, marine or any other internal-combustion engines having a considerable speed range.

It will be noted that I employ7 only one circuit-breaker, and that by suitably controllin said circuit-breaker -I am able to maintain the closed-circuit period of the induction coil constant, notwithstandin the fact that the range of speed of the engine is considerable.

In the following claims I have used the term circuit-breaker as a generic term to include breakers and timers providing one or several breaks per revolution. I have also used the term active portion to designate a depression or projection by means of which the lever. is actuated to open and close the circuit.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an ignltion system, avcircuit-breaker comprising a lever and a cam, a circuit-closing contact on one end of said lever, a memto Said rod and having a common axis there'- with, said members forming a depression cam, a member adapted to co-act with said cam, the cam-forming members on the one hand, and the coacting member onrthe other hand being rotatable with reference to each other, and speed-controlled means for varying the length of the depression in said cam, while maintaining constant the distance of said cam from the axis of said rod.

3. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising a lever and a cam, a shaft for rotating one of said circuit-breaker parts with reference to the other, said cam comprising a plurality of members rotatable on the axis of the shatt,` with reference to each other and coacting to form an active portion of variable length, and speed-controlled means for thus rotating said cam-members with reference to each other.

4. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker, a shaft for actuating said breaker, said breaker comprising members rotatable with the shaft and having a common axis therewith, said members forming a depression cam, and speed-controlled means for varying the lengt-l1 of the depression in said cam, while maintaining constant the distance thereof from the axis of said shaft.

5. In an ignition system,a circuit-breaker, a shaft for actuating said breaker, the latter comprising means rotatable with the shaft andI forming a depression cam, and speed-controlled means for varying the len h of depression of said cam and for shi ting the depression circumferentially of the shaft, While maintaining constant the distance of saiddepression from the axis of said shaft.

6. In an ignition system, means for determining the length of the closed-circuit period of an induction coil, comprising two elements one of which 1s a rotary depresslon -cam of varying size and the other a bar with an electric contact-point on one end, said bar being arranged to be acted upon by said cafn, and means for shifting said elements with relation to each other to bring different portions of said cam into operative relation with said bar, while maintaining constant the distance thereof from the center of rotation of said cam.

7. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker, a shaft for actuating said breaker, the latter comprising means rotatable with -the shaft and forming a depression cam; and speedcontrolled means for varying the length of the depression of said cam, while maintaining constant the distance thereof from the center of said shaft.

8. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker, a shaft for actuating said breaker, the latter comprising means rotatable with the shaft and forming a depression cam; and speed-controlled means for shifting the depression circumferentially of the shaft, while maintaining constant the` distance of said depression from the center of said shaft.

9. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising two members having a common axis, one of said members being apertured, and the other member having a portion extending into the aperture; the circuitbreaker also comprising an clement adapted to enter said aperture; means for rotating said members; and means for shifting one of the members with relation to the other to vary the position of said portion within the aperture.

10. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising two members having a common axis, one of said members being apertured, and the other member having a portion extending into the aperture; the circuitbreaker also comprising an element adapted to enter said aperture; means for rotating said members; and speed-controlled means for shifting one of the members with relation to the other to vary the position of said portion within the aperture. A

. 11. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising two members having a common axis, one of said members being apertured, and the other member having a portion eX- tending into the aperture; the circuitbrealer also comprising an element adapted to enter said aperture; a rotary shaft on which said members are mounted; and means for shifting both of said members with relation to the shaft.

12. In an ignition system, a ci rcuit-breaker comprising two telescoping sleeves; a rotatory shaft on which said sleeves are mounted, the outer sleeve being apertured and the inner sleeve having a portion extending into said aperture; the circuitbreaker also comprising an el'emcnt adapted to enter said aperture; and means for differentially rotating said sleeves with relation to the shaft.

13. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising two teleseoping sleeves, a shaft on which said sleeves are mounted, the outer sleeve being apertured and the inner sleeve having a portion extending into said aperture, vthe circuit-breaker also comprising an element adapted to enter said aperture, a member attached to said shaft', a governor arm pivoted on said member, means tending to \restrain centrifugal movement of said' arm, and a connection between said arm and the inner sleeve for shifting said sleeve with relation to the outer sleeve.

14. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker Acomprising two telescoping sleeves, a shaft sleeve being apertured and the inner sleeve having a portion extending into said aperture, the circuit-breaker also comprising an element adapted to enter said aperture, a member attached to said shaft, two governor arms pivoted at diametrically opposite points on said member, means tending to restrain centrifugal movement of said arms, and connections between said arms and said sleeves for causing the latter to turn in the swinging movement, 0f said arms. -Y

16. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker comprising two telescoping sleeves. a shaft on which said sleeves are mounted, the outer sleeve having two communicating apertures of diii1 erent widths and the inner sleeve having a projection adapted to lie within the narrower aperture, the circuit-breaker also comprising an element adapted to enter the wider aperture and incapable ofentering the narrower aperture, and means for turning the inner sleeve to move said projection into and out of the wider aperture.

17.' In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker,

a shaft for actuating said breaker, said breaker comprising means rotatable with the shaft and forming a depression cam, and speed-controlled means independent of said rotatable means for varying the length of the depression in said cam.

18. In an ignition system, a circuit-breaker, a rod carrying said breaker, said breaker comprising means rotatable with reference to said rod and forming a depression cam, a member adapted to co-act with said cam, said cam-forming means and coacting member being rotatable relatively to each other, and speed-controlledn means for varying the length of the depression of said cam, and for shiftin the depressioncircumferentially of the sha t, while maintaining constant, the distance of said cam from the axis of said rod.

19. In an ignition system,acircuitbreaker comprising a cam and' a coacting circuitcontrolling member, means for causing relative rot-ation between said cam and said member on an axis passing through the cam, said cam consistin of a plurality of members providing a epression between them, and means for rotating said Cam-forming members with relation to each other on the axis aforesaid to vary the length of said 10 depression.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

RALPH B. MACNISH.

lVitnesses:

. CLARENCE MARTIN,

SOLOMON L. MARTIN, Jr. 

